tlement of his family affairs, as have a beautiful vault in the chapel about to take a journey. And here for the use of the mission r he began to gird his loins and family. It is all that could be desired n his lamp. It was thought that as a sleeping-chamber for the dead. would not have many hours of The arrangements for the funeral ting, but days had been appointed were kindly conducted by Mr. Thos. hours. When I saw him on the Oughton, who will no doubt supply sday evening he was very low, the particulars. The funeral ser his poor frame so emaciated, he vice, of course, devolved on me; and ld hardly raise his voice above a) a deeply solemn service it was. The sper; but he was in fullest pos- poor remains of the sainted one were ion of all his mental faculties, followed by a long retinue of carcontinued to be so to the last. | riages largely filled by Haytian rere were no raptures, but there fugees, who hold the memory of our peace,-the settled peace of a brother in high esteem. I was kindly I resting on the Rock of ages. accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Pearce, en the near approach of death the clergyman who showed so much announced to him, he said he Christian attention to our brother not wish to die; there was work Teall in his afflictive bereavement lo for Christ in poor Hayti; a two years ago. He is now curate of ious work had been begun But St. Michael's church in this city. he war, he had expected to add It was six o'clock p.m. before we rge number to the Church by reached the chapel, and the shades ism; and he longed to live to of evening had fallen deeply around y forward what was rapidly de- us before the introductory portions ping of the power and grace of of the service were concluded. Al in the hearts of his Haytian most in darkness, and in deepest Terts. Yet he bowed in humble stillness, I stood before the open nission to the will of God; and | vault to address the mourners and new that to be with Christ is far | the congregation which had gatherer. As the days passed away, he ed. Oh, it was a deeply solemn weaker in body, but stronger thing to stand at the mouth of that pirit. It was beautiful to ob- open sepulchre! and it was most e how faith increased and hope touching and soul-animating too. htened. Towards the last his Among the precious dust reposing e seemed to flow in like a river, there was that of the Thomas Knibbs, he evidently breathed only in father and son, also of Gardner and piritual atmosphere, feeding on Kitchin and Nash. And there also leaves of the tree of life with its rest the remains of Mrs. Oughton, ious fruits. I was with him at whose sainted memory is most frae o'clock in the afternoon of the grant to the people here, and to all of his death, and had the solace who knew her. You will not need peaking to him the words of to be told how wrapt was the attene and truth, and of commending tion, and how touched the hearts of departing spirit to Him who has all, as we committed our brother's keys of life and death. When I | mortal frame to its silent bed in the red his room, a brother was sure and certain hope of a glorious ing with him a song of the bet resurrection to eternal life...” land. Not long before he had Thus is the Haytian mission deed him to sing, .There is a foun. prived of both its missionaries, and | filled with blood,' in which he that at a time when their presence Iself endeavoured to join. So our seemed more than ever required. r brother entered into rest. The Church at Jacmel, consisting of You know, of course, that we | more than a hundred members, has lost its pastor, and, under Christ, its that there is a brighter future fo founder. We would fain hope that this unfortunate island, and tha the little band will remain steadfast, God has purposes of mercy toward but it will be important at an early | her. May her people come out < period to replace the brethren whose | these bitter trials purified, repentan labours have been so sadly brought and desirous to obtain the blessin to a close. We hope, with our lost of the gospel of peace ! dear friend and brother, Mr. Webley, NEWS OF THE CHURCHES. A NEW Baptist chapel has been / The following reports of Minis opened at Hanslope, Northampton- TERIAL CHANGES have reached u shire.--The old chapel in Oxford, at since our last issue :—The Rev. J one time occupied by the Rev. Mr. Wilkins, from the Metropolitan Bulteel, has been purchased for the Tabernacle College, to Hockliffe Church under the pastorate of the Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds; the Rev. D. Patterson, and has been re- Rev. T. G. Swindill, of Bristol Col. opened.-An effort is being made by lege, to Victoria Street, Windsor the members of the Stepney Green | the Rev. J. P. Williams, of Bristo Tabernacle, to erect a new building College, to Hope chapel, Canton to hold three thousand persons, the Cardiff; the Rev. G. W. Roughton present chapel-a very commodious formerly of Grampound, Cornwall one-being too small for the num to Williton, Somerset; the Rev. 1 bers who flock to hear the preacher, Bentley, late of Coventry, to Chip the Rev. A. G. Brown. ping Norton, Oxon; the Rev. W Morris, of Pontypool College, to The Rev. J. Roberts, late of Leeds, Treorky, Rhondda Valley. The Rev. has been recognised as the pastor T.J. Cole, after twelve years' laborur, of the Church at Mumbles, Swansea. has resigned the pastorate of the -The Rev. J. Aldis, late of Haworth, | Church at Park Road, Peckham. The Yorkshire, has been recognised as Rev. C. White has resigned the the pastor of the Church at Hitchin, pastorate at Cornwall Road Chapel, Herts.-The Rev. G. Jarman, late Notting Hill, and has opened the of Bristol College, has been recog Cornwall Hall, Notting Hill, for nized as the pastor of the Church public service. The Rev. A. MO at Blisworth, Northamptonshire.- | Dougall, late of Rothesay, has ac The Rev. G. Phillips, late of Even- cepted the appointment of Mission, jobb, Radnor, has been recognised ary in connection with the Home as the pastor of the Church at Kings Missionary Society for Scotland to hill, Bucks. labour in the island of Islay. THE CHURCH. Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." MAY, 1869. LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF DAVID. SECOND SERIES. BY THE REV. CIARLES VINCE. OF A KING'S DESIRE. REMARKABLE ANSWERS TO PRAYER” have furnished many with a st encouraging theme. Innumerable instances have been cited erein blessings, which only the strongest faith would be bold enough ask for, have been secured. Volumes of almost incredible facts e been compiled to show the merciful and marvellous ways in which man desires breathed in supplication are changed into Divine deles. In many cases it has been proved that while yet the suppliant s on his knees, the almighty word must have gone forth, “ Accord; to thy prayer so be it unto thee.” Delayed answers to prayer have t been dealt with so fully and frequently, for they do not constitute ubject so pleasant to our fretful and hurrying nature. They might, wever, be oftener discoursed upon with advantage to those (their me is legion) who have not yet learnt how wise it is to “rest in the rd, and wait patiently for Him.” God's denials of man's requests still less frequently the theme of sermon and treatise. They have appearance of contradicting the promises, and of proving that ayer is in vain; and, therefore, perhaps, they are often excluded im purely human histories. With its usual fearlessness and fidelity e Bible records them, and thereby helps us to realise that it cannot vays be according to our minds. Apparently sanctified human wills ve had to be thwarted by the Divine will ; and to what looked like se and lawful petitions, the answer of Heaven has been an emphatic gative. Moses was mighty in supplication, and more than once his tercession came between the Jewish people and their merited struction ; but his own death in the wilderness was in perfect oppotion to his own ardent desires expressed in prayer and enforced by ars. The apostle Paul had to tell of a thrice-repeated supplication, hich met with a thrice-repeated denial. David never prayed more fervently than when he prayed for the life of his child, and prayed i vain. Po human judgment nothing could be more laudable and col sistent than his desire to crown the labours of his life by building temple for the praise and glory of God; and yet, though the king afte God's own heart cherished the purpose, and the prophet of the Lor instantly and heartily approved of it, the Divine will was against i and it had to be relinquished. It might be more pleasant to study th instances in which, through the goodness of God, the desires of David' heart were granted, and his hopes were realised; but it ought to be as profitable to look occasionally at the other side of his experience God's thoughts are not always as our thoughts; and when they differ ours must give way, and His must prevail. The history now before u shows us that one of God's most faithful and favoured servants ha personal experience of this necessity. As we behold David's sub mission to denial and disappointment, our own ought to become more contented and cheerful. I.- LET US GLANCE AT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH GAVE BIRTH TO DAVID'S DESIRE TO BUILD THE TEMPLE. The regal position into which he passed on the death of Saul was no bed of roses. The land was still overrun by the Philistines, who held many of its strongest fortresses. Jerusalem was in the hands of the Jebusites; the people had been crushed by bondage, and impoverisher by repeated invasions; the surviving members of the house of Saul with their partisans, resisted David's claims; and the entire kingdom was in a state of ruin and chaos, which, to the most sanguine, mus have made the thought of order and prosperity a forlorn hope. There was hard and long-lasting work to be done ; but David gave himself to it with full purpose of heart, and his God who had called him to it did not suffer him to labour in vain. Victory after victory crowned his arduous struggles, until, at last, the Philistines were for ever banished; the land of promise was fully possessed by the Israelites; and David's unresisted rule extended over all the twelve tribes. It was a happy time for the king and his people. Those who for years had been forced to struggle for life and liberty could now let the sword rest in its scabbard ; instead of the spear they could use the ploughshare, and till the long-neglected fields, and grow the golden harvest, without any fear that ruthless invaders would trample i into the dust or carry it away as spoil. Peace had come into the land, and prosperity was in her train. “THE KING SAT IN HIS HOUSE, AND THE LORD HAD GIVEN HIM REST ROUND ABOUT FROM ALL ALS ENEMIES." We can scarcely enter into the joy which all this created, and the thankfulness it inspired; not because we know nothing of such circumstances, but because we have always lived in them. Those who have never mourned on account of the deep darkness of midnight canno appreciate the beauty of the dawn and the splendours of the noon like men who through long hours of thick gloom have watched and waited for the morning. How can we estimate the blessedness of peace and urity as it was estimated by the Hebrews after nearly a life-time constant disquiet and bloody strife, and well-grounded dread of ional annihilation and of individual slavery or death? The sight his own and his people's prosperity and freedom touched the spirit David with mighty power, and made it to glow with unwonted titude ; and he longed to do some great thing to show the love of ch his heart was so full: “ What shall I render unto the Lord for His benefits toward me?”. t may be asked, If David were so joyous and thankful, could he not taken his harp of sweet and solemn sound, and have expressed new-born praise in some new-born psalm ? Doubtless he did this, it was not enough to satisfy his gratitude. The truly thankful It is glad to put on its singing robes, and lift its exultant strains to Ten ; but it cannot be contented with words and music alone, even ngh another David should pen the hymn, and an inspired Handel ild compose the melody. It will want to express what it feels in ks, to put on the garb of a willing servant, and, in addition to saygreat things about God, to do right and good and noble things for 1. In the matter of word-praise, David possessed a power and hed a position absolutely unrivalled; but, perfect as he could make service of song, it did not suffice for him when God was crowning life with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He looked around some gigantic labour, and he said that the ark of the Lord should longer dwell in curtains. He would build for it a shrine of marble cedar and gold, and entreat God to accept the Temple for His ship, and to fill it with His glory. Let us be assured that if “we wand believe the love that God hath to us," if His love have indled ours, we too shall be eager to embody our living thankful. s in deeds of truth and kindness and purity. The praise that exsses itself in action is not simply the most acceptable to God, it is only praise which can give relief to the spirit burdened with a je of what it owes to Him, whose mercy is like Himself-without inning of days or end of years. 1.-We must turn from the origin of David's desire to NATHAN'S TAKEN SANCTION OF IT. i sympathetic heart is a great quickener of the brain. If your it be in unison with that of another man, how readily you and he understand each other. Half words are enough, and either of you fully discern the other's desire or purpose long before his language fully disclosed it. It is this law of our nature that makes it so ch easier for a man to find out the Divine will when his heart is ught into living sympathy with God. Then his faculty of discernnt is so perfect, that to him God can say, “I will guide thee with 1e eye." Between Nathan and David there was this sympathy, so it the latter had scarcely begun to speak about his purpose before former divined all that he intended. “The king said to the prophet, now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth thin curtains. And the prophet said to the king, Go, do all that is |